What to Pack for a Surf & Remote Work Trip

Most packing lists for this kind of trip either treat it as a pure surf trip (full board bag, wetsuit, the works) or a pure work trip (extra monitor, ergonomic everything) and miss that you're doing both at once, with actual luggage constraints. Here's what matters for each half, and what you can safely leave behind.

Work gear that actually matters

• A laptop sleeve that handles humidity and sand, not just drops — tropical air and beach sand are harder on electronics over weeks than the occasional bump.
• A universal power adapter — obvious, but check voltage compatibility too, not just plug shape, especially for anything that doesn't auto-switch voltage.
• A portable hotspot or a local SIM plan as backup — even at stays with good fibre and a 4G backup router, having your own fallback means one bad wifi day doesn't cost you a client call.
• A compact, genuinely comfortable travel mouse if you're particular about it — trackpads are fine for browsing, less fine for a full workday.
• A padlock and a way to secure valuables during the hours you're in the water and your room isn't.

Surf gear you probably don't need

Board bags and full quivers are usually more luggage cost and hassle than they're worth. Most work-focused surf stays — including our own listings — lend boards and wetsuits, precisely because guests are there for weeks at a time, not showing up with their own gear. Check the specific listing before assuming, but don't default to packing a board.

What's worth bringing regardless: your own reef-safe sunscreen (formulations and availability vary a lot by country), and if you're particular about fit, your own rash guard.

Climate notes by destination

• Canggu — tropical humidity year-round; pack for heat and moisture more than cold, and expect gear (including electronics) to need more frequent airing out than you're used to.
• Ericeira — Atlantic water is noticeably colder than Bali; a wetsuit is non-negotiable most of the year, and evenings can be cool even when days are warm. See the Ericeira guide for the seasonal detail.
• Taghazout — similar Atlantic-coast profile to Ericeira: wetsuit needed for most of the year, warm days but cooler evenings. See the Taghazout guide.

The realistic list

Work: laptop + sleeve, universal adapter, backup connectivity, a mouse if you care, a padlock. Surf: swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen, your own rash guard if particular about fit — skip the board and wetsuit unless your stay specifically doesn't lend them. Everything else is normal travel packing, not specific to this kind of trip.

Ready to pick a destination? Browse current stays across Canggu, Ericeira, and Taghazout.